20 January, 2014

AAP KE ANARCHISTS

By his own admission – even if sarcastic – Arvind has
selfconfessed to anarchism. But this goes beyond that.

First the facts as I understood.

1. Bharati, his law minister, suspects some Ugandan girls
of drug trafficking and prostitution [yet to be proved]. Gheraos them, and
detains them at the dead of night along with his volunteers. [And by some
account makes them give urine samples]

2. He summons police and directs a senior officer to raid
that house and to arrest these girls

3. The cop declines citing law [need for prior search warrant
and a lady police officer, night time detention etc being cited as reasons]

4. An argument ensues. Bharati construes this disobedience
and lawlessness.

5. Another incident happens elsewhere, also involving an AAP
minister.

6. AAP demands suspension of the five police officers involved

7. Arvind and Police Commissioner meet the Lt Governor who
offers to appoint a HC judge to investigate. Arvind declines. Submits a memo to
Home Minster but HM declines to suspend them either

8. Then AAP decides to offer a dharna at North Block in front
of Shinde’s office

9. Police set up the barricades and stop him and his ministers.
Here the entire Delhi govt cabinet intends to sit for another ten days
regardless of Republic Day and declare that the Congress is responsible for
anything untoward, by not suspending those officers.

10. Meanwhile they expand the demand to transfer police control
from central govt to Delhi govt.

The background: Delhi Police comes under the control of the
central govt. Transfer of this control to the govt of Delhi state, forms an
item on the manifestos of all three major political parties. But even AAP
manifesto had not attached any priority to this item. Meanwhile a Delhi court
has directed police to book Bharati for causing nuisance. If I got my facts
right then here are my observations:

1. AAP realizes that they cannot fulfill all their
promises. Lokpal / LokAyukta Bill, Slashing electricity bill, providing educational
access in primary schools to all, and what not. AK has also cancelled his
Darbar [incidentally he was rescued from it previously by the same Delhi
police]

2. So AAP needs a diversion / distraction. It either
wants to distract people’s attention from the issues at hand and promises due
by now, or to compel the central govt to work to dismiss it or to lead the
Congress to withdraw support so that AAP can go down as martyrs.

3. The transfer of police control is by no means an item
of priority and nothing would be lost if this were pursued later. Also this dharna
was primarily launched demanding suspension of the cops. Only later did they
expand the scope.

4. The implications for international relations are not healthy.

5. AK acted either irresponsibly by siding with his
erring law minister, or committed a grave error of judgment and unwittingly
landed in this situation, or is an extremely cunning person who hoodwinks
people by first offering exaggerated promises and then distracting them from these.

My questions:

1. Are the “intellectual” supporters of AAP now disturbed
or amused by this anarchy? Do they now regret their hasty trust placed in the
party?

2. What if the Central govt accedes to AK’s demands and suspends
the cops, and in protest the Delhi Police [justifiably] goes on a strike
demanding dismissal of Delhi govt?

3. In the face of the Republic Day threat of terror this diversion
of police attention and resources, causing severe discomfort to Delhiites by
blocking traffic, supporting Bharti despite strong evidence of over-reach and
also of the foul language used by him against Harish Salve and Arun Jaitley etc
suggest a callous and arrogant outfit setting a dangerous trend.